“Can’t wait,” she said, and then she hung up. The dreamy sigh escaped her before she remembered Rhylee was right next to her.
“Just friends, huh?”
Kenzie rolled her eyes at her cousin and then went back to staring out her window.
Just friends.
* * *
“If you don’t stop whistling, I’m going to duct tape your lips together.”
Danny dropped his bag in the chair and turned to grin at Rob, who was standing behind the counter, sorting through invoices. It was a beautiful day to annoy his little brother.
“You probably don’t recognize it because you’re usually here with Brian, but it’s called being in a good mood.”
Rob looked at the bag and frowned. “Why don’t you just go home?”
Danny snorted. “Gee, thanks.”
“Okay, that came out a little sideways. What I meant to ask is why you don’t just stay home when you go down for your appointment. You’re going to drive down today, drive back up tomorrow, and then go home Thursday night. It doesn’t make sense.”
“There’s a lot to do Thursday to get ready for the long weekend, and Brian won’t get here until later in the day. There’s bringing wood bundles down to the store, and that ice cream delivery that’s got to be stocked.”
“There’s not enough to do to justify wasting your time and gas like that.”
It was his time and gas, but it would be hard to convince his brother it wasn’t a waste without telling him the real reason. And there was a solid chance Kenzie would tell Hannah at some point, anyway.
“I’m coming back Wednesday because Kenzie’s going down with me and I’ll have to bring her home.”
That certainly shut him up, though Danny knew the effect wouldn’t last long. And he was right.
“Is there something wrong with her car?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Danny.” Rob blew out a breath, running a hand over his hair. “What are you doing?”
The tone got under his skin, putting a dent in his good mood. He didn’t have to explain himself to anybody. “I’m taking a friend out on the town while she’s got a break from work.”
“A friend?”
“What’s your problem, Bobby?” he demanded, using the nickname from childhood just to push his brother’s buttons.
Rob gave him a look that made it clear he hadn’t missed the nickname jab. “You can pop in and out, but we live here. She’s a friend of ours, too—especially of Hannah—and you playing with her could be a problem.”
“Playing with her?” Danny didn’t even try to temper the anger in his voice. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Were you planning on sticking around for good?”
Danny turned his back on Rob for a moment to get his temper under control. He didn’t want to fall out with his brother. He also didn’t want to explain the complicated feelings he had for Kenzie.
When he turned back to speak, his voice was more even. “I’m not moving here for a woman I’ve gone on a few walks with, Rob. Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m not playing with her. She and I have talked, and we’re just friends because it would be impossible to be more than that.”
Rob looked at him a long time, and Danny wasn’t sure what his brother saw on his face, but he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone there because I know you better than that.”
“I know she and Hannah are friends, but I’m not trying to hurt Kenzie here.” He was also trying not to get hurt himself, but he couldn’t make himself keep the distance between them that would require.
“You know, Hannah moved here from California. Her family’s there. Her best friend is there. And they talk all the time and video chat, but I know it’s not the same. Kenzie’s a friend she made here, and I think I’m just overprotective of that relationship.”
